November 6, 1998/ 17 Cheshvan 5759, Vol. 51, No. 7
Updated Yiddish farce opens Jewish theater's seasonThe Arizona Jewish Theatre Company opens its season Saturday, Nov. 7, with the statewide premiere of "Kuni-Leml," a rollicking musical based on the 1880s Yiddish farce, "The Fanatic, or the Two Kuni-Lemls."The musical, a tale of young lovers defying tradition, was first performed at the Jewish Repertory Theatre in 1985 and then moved to off-Broadway, where it won Outer Critic Circle Awards for book, music and lyrics. The original play was one of the most successful in Yiddish theater history. It was written by Avrom Goldfadn, who is known as the father of Yiddish theater. Goldfadn, a Russian Jew, began writing during the enlightened regime of Czar Alexander II, which allowed a secular Yiddish theater to arise. The play debuted in 1880. The play's current incarnation is updated for modern American theatergoers, scaled down from a five-act extravaganza into an intimate musical comedy for eight players. After its debut run at the Jewish Repertory Theatre in New York, "Kuni-Leml" moved to off-Broadway. The cast of the AJTC production includes Rusty Ferracane as the title character, and Hal Adams, Royce Lee Briggs, Beau Heckman, Beth Anne Johnson, George Pollard, and Bradford York. Peter J. Hill will direct, and Jerry Wayne Harkey is the musical director. Set design is by Geoffrey M. Eroe; lighting design by Paul Black; choreography by Noel Irick; and costumes, hair and makeup by David M. Anaya Jr. The show launches the company's 11th season, and will run Nov. 7-22 at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix. Tickets are $23-$26. Student tickets are $15. Seniors receive a $2 discount. They're available from the Herberger box office (252-8497) or Dillard's (503-5555). Group tickets are available from AJTC (264-0402). |
